Banding machine



J. H. HOLSTEIN BANDING MACHINE Dec. 30, 1952 Filed Aug. e, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR. doHN II. I'IoLsTEIN Y BY M A# ATTORNEYS Filed Aug. 6, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ms o o 4s aos' ws" zsls' V als also' l I cuT-oF CAM j na/ i BAND FEEDNG CAM I 4.5/ INVENTOR.

doHN H. HoLsTam Y\Cv.3. By x Allem Dec. 30, 1952 Flled Aug e, 1949 TnGJO S2 Dec. 30, 1952 1 H, HOLSTElN 2,623,673

BANDING MACHINE ATTO RN EYs Dec. 30, 1952 1. H. HOLSTEIN BANDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 IER 13g |42. Ml

INVENTOR. doHN H. HoLsTmN BY ,M

TToRNEYs Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to mechanical sealing apparatus and more particularly to a device for feeding flexible tubular material from a substantially continuous supply thereof predetermined distances downwardly over the upper ends of bottles and other containers previously corked, capped, or otherwise closed, and for cutting sections from said tubular material fed :onto the containers for tamper-proof interconnection of lthe Icontainers and their respective closing members.

In the bottling of wines and other alcoholic beverages, it has become the conventional practice to cap or plug the bottles and to apply a seal interconnecting the bottles and their plugs or caps in tamper-proof overlapping relation. The seals present a more 'attractive product, are a sanitary measure, and possess utility in insuring air and vapor tight integrity.

Various types of seals, such as thermo-plastic setting tapes, regenerated cellulose, Iand other materials have been employed which, when positioned in interconnecting relation between a container and its closure, shrink tightly into place precluding opening of the container without destroying the seal. The seals are conventionally tubular in form and maintained while stored in formaldehyde, alcohol, glycerine, or other suitable liquid precluding premature shrinking thereof.

For storage convenience, the tubular material is flattened and conventionally for mounting convenience, cut into predetermined lengths suitable for mounting on the containers of the type desired. The containers are filled with uids, closed by means of plugs, caps, or other closing members, and subsequently have manually positioned thereon the precut tubular banding material. The operation of applying Ithe band is time consuming and productive of considerable labor expense, in that the flattened tubular members mus-t be distended and accurately positioned speedily and accurately to achieve the desired result. The bands manually positioned in haste frequently miss overlapping of the containers and their closures in which event they are of no effect.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for economically and dependably sealing closure members, such as corks, caps and the like, to containers such las bottles and jars.

Another object is yto provide an apparatus for feeding la flexible elongated tubular member of shrinkable material downwardly over the tops of successive containers and their closures, and

forming circumscribing sealing bands thereon by severing sections of said member positioned on the containers.

Another object is to provide an automatic mechanism for quickly and easily applying seals to containers and their closures in rapid succession.

Another object .is to provide :an apparatus for use in conjunction withv a conveyor for containers adapted automatically to remove containers from the conveyor, to seal the containers, and to return the same to the conveyor.

Another object is to provide for the automatic feeding of banding material onto containers and their closures and for the cutting of the bandlng material in predetermined lengths.

Ano-ther object is to provide Ia floating mandrel adapted to receive ilexible tubular material thereover and to be supported by the embracing of the mandrel through the fiexible material.

Another object is to provide a floating mandrel having feed means operable from lan end thereof adapted to receive thereover flexible tubular material having an open end portion and for motivation of the feed means through the open end of i the tubular material.

All)

Another object is to provide, in a banding machine, a combined feeding and cutting mechanism mounted for corresponding revolutionary movement and automatic motivation and timing in response to their azimuthal positions during revolution.

A further object is to provide a bottle sealing mechanism driven by bottle engagement with remains quiescent in the absence of the proper 7 positioning of a bottle to receive sealing material,

thus obviating upset of synchronous operation by bottle misalignment or timed positioning and resultant waste of sealing material.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus, including mobile container support means, for automatically feeding tubular sealing material downwardly over the tops of containers andv for cutting sections from the tubular material positioned on the containers, in which motivation oi the feeding and cutting operations is derived from movement of the support means.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the speciiication. A

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through a structure embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View, partially in horizontal section, of the device shown in Fig. l. For ready correlation of Figs. l and 2, Fig. l. may be deemed as taken on line i-i of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a comparative representation of cutting control earn a band feeding caro employed in the device of the present invention illustrating their azimuthal relations.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of a floating mandrel adapted to receive thereover tubular banding material to be applied to containers ani their closures as taken on a line radially of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a View of the floating manure, shown in Fig. 4 as seen radially of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, or 90 degrees from the position viewed in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line -s of Fig. i illustrating thrust rollers employed inthe iloat ing mandrel.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line i-'of' Fig. 4 showing feed rolls for the tubular material employed in the floating mandrel.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view'taken on line il-l of Fig. 5 showing a uni-directional drive linkage or overrunoating mandrel for of the feed rollers.

Fig. 9 ispta-lzen on line Q of Fig. 8 and serves further to demonstrate the uni-directional drive linkage of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the device of the present invention as viewed from line iii-iii of Fig. 2. illustrating the condition of the feeding means in the present invention preliminaryto thefeeding opration.

Fig. 11 is similar to l0 demonstrates elements shown therein at the termination of the feeding operation for the tubular material.

Fig. l2 -issimilar to Figs. lo and 1.1,. but demonstrates the openingof a holding chuck for the floating mandrel as for removal of the mandrel to thread or unthread the tubular banding inaterial.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line I 3i3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal plane view oi the cutting uni-directional motivation g clutch employed inthe mechanism for the tubularr material as viewed from line lil-ill o 13.

Fig. l5 is `a horizontal plane view of a portion of the mechanism ci the present invention as viewed from line i-i 5 oi Fig.. lil.

Fig. i6 is a fragmentary 'horizontal section taken on line i5- of Fig. l and viewed upwardly demonstrating the motivating linkage for the cutting means of the present invention.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings:

It is conventional practice to employ endless conveyors in the filling, capping, and labelling oi bottled beverages and the like. Such a conveyor is shown generally at i in Fi having an upper run i! and a return lower run l2. The conveyor is motivated in any suitable manner and periodically along its length provides brackets i3 upwardly extended adiacent thereto mounting guide rods li longitudinally of the conveyor to retain bottles thereon for their transporta-tion from point to point.

A pair oi shafts il are rotatably mounted in substantially erect positions 'diacent to the conveyor IS and spaced longitudinally thereof. A pair of elevationally spaced earns are mounted on each of the snails i? for rotation in partially overlaying relation to the conveyor i3. Elorizontally intermediate the star earns are a pair of fixed bottle directing plates i9. which in association with the star earns serve to remove bottlesy indicated generally at 2G, from the conveyor and to bottle supporting tables, subsequently described in greater detail, and after banding the bottles, to return them from the supports to the conveyor. To facilitate this transitional movement, transition platforms 2i are mounted at the saine height as the conveyor HJ and positioned to provide a sliding path from the conveyor to the tables from the tables back to the conveyor. This relationship is most clearly evident in Fig. 2 and constitutes a suitable well known inea-ns of removing articles from the endless conveyor' for treatment at a station and their'return from the station to the conveyor.

As shown in g. l, a support shalt 22 is nxedly mounted in any suitable manner in a substantially erect position adjacent to the conveyor lil. A tubate housing il@ is mounted concentrically on the shaft 22 for rotation thereabout by means of a xed bearing 2li integral with the shaft 22 and a, movable bearing 25 rotatably mounted on the fixed bearing integral with the housing. in annular flange l is provided on the lower end of the housing and a spur gear 2S mounted concentrically of the housing by connectionto the flange, as shown at 2-3. Driven interconnection is provided between oneof the shafts il, the housing 23, and the other shaft il by mounting pinion on each of the shafts il in engagement with the spur gear Z8. One of the shafts il is power driven in any suitable manner and through its pinion gear 3G rotates thehousing 23 'and thence the opposite shaft l'i. The timed relation of the rotation of the housing 23 and the star earns it mounted on the shafts 22 will subsequently become apparent.

[in annular'braclset 35 is radially extended from the housing 23 and provides a plurality of erect bearings therein in. a horizontal annular arrangement. Support posts Si are mounted inthe 'bearings 36 for reciprocal elevational movement and provide bottle supporting tables 38 at their upper end portions above the bracket 35. The peripheral edge of the bracket is preferably downwardly turned Iand a substantially cylindrical xed housing received within the down turned edges and nxedly mounted therebelow. The housing is conveniently extended as at il in Fig. l to contain the drive linkage, previously describedincluding the shafts il', pinion gears 3G and spur gear 23.

An annular cam e3 is pivotally mounted, as on a ulcrum line @i interconnecting the points of entry and departure of the hottles'Z` from vthe tables 38, in the fixed housing lill concentrically of the tubate housing t3. Opposite to the pivotal mounting 24, the housing @il is vertically slotted as at 136, and a tipping control flange l extended outwardly through the slot for external control. A bracket it is weldably secured to the lixed housing El `below the control flange lil and a manually rotatable contr-ol rod Q9 screw threadedly mounted in thel bracket in flange engagement. Rotation of the control rod serves pivotally to elevate and to lower the cam 43. The configuration of the cam and its relation te the conveyor is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The cam is shown in elongated form in Fig. 3 with the degrees of revolution thereof correlated therewith to indicate cani function and congura tion. rEhe cam is pivotally mounted at its point of nearest proximity to the conveyor and thus be visualized as beginning centrally of the plate l at `a 0 degree of revolution. The cam is substantially horizontal for the rst degrees of clockwise progression, as the mechanism is viewed in Fig. 2, and thence slopes upwardly for approximately 60 degrees. The cam has a dwell, or iiattened portion, between approximately 105 degrees and 255 degrees of revolution and thence declines for approximately 60 degrees of further progression. The succeeding degrees of the cam is fiat and continuous with the rst 45 degrees thereof. It will be obvious that the tipping of the cam about the pivotal mounting 44 will cause a responsive change in inclination or declination of the portions thereof but their relative attitudes will remain constant during such tipping. Further, the portions of the cam directly below the points of entry and departure of the bottles remain at a constant elevation independent of such pivotal movement because of the positioning of the fulcrum. It will be apparent that the cam may be adjustably tipped while the apparatus is in operation.

Stub axles 59 are mounted transversely in the lower end portions ci" the posts 3l and radially extended relative to the annular cam 43. A cam follower 5| is j ournaled on each of the stub axles in rolling engagement with the cam t3. It will thus be apparent that as the tubate housing 23 is rotated, the bottle supporting tables 38 will be caused to revolve thereabout and will be elevationally positioned in response to the cam 43,

being ush with the upper run Il of the conveyor when adjacent thereto, remaining at a substantially constant elevation for approximately 45 degrees, being elevated during the succeeding degrees, carried at the elevated level for 150 degrees, lowered during the succeeding 60 degrees and thence carried at substantially the elevation of the upper run of the conveyor to the Starting point. Thus, bottles 2i) removed from the conveyor l by one of the star cams I B are positioned on the bottle support tables 38, elevationally reciprocated as the tables revolve unitarily with rotation of the housing 23, and are returnedv to the conveyor from the support tables by the second star cam.

Magazines 55 for supplies of tubular banding material, indicated at 55, are provided individual to the bottle support tables 38 thereabove. The magazines are preferably uid tight and may conveniently be supported by means of a bearing 5l supported on the upper end oi the shaft 22 having a cap 58 bearing an assembly mounting plate, subsequently described, which in turn bears magazine mounting brackets 59 rotatably positioned thereon. It has been found convenient to mount the magazines in radially extended positions relative to the shaft 22 but it is to be understood that any suitable magazine conguration or supporting position may be employed without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In fact, one or a plurality of magazines may be employed from which a plurality of bottle banding stations are supplied. The banding material, indicated at 5G, is tubular in form but iiattened for storing convenience and maintained in the magazines in any desired fluid precluding premature shrinking. The banding material may be of thermo-plastic type, regenerated cellulose, or any other material which may conveniently be shrunk on the upper ends of ,containers and their closures for sealing purposes and of course the fluids employed in the magazines must be of a type appropriate to the banding material employed. To facilitate feeding of the tubular banding material from the magazines, a feeding spool 64 is mounted on each of 6. the magazines and serves to facilitate withdrawal ofthe tubular material from its respective magazine. For purposes vof convenience, the banding stations to which the banding material is fed are indicated at 6E. A

The tubular banding material is tted over a. oating mandrel, indicated generally at 10, whose individual components are most clearly shown in Figs. 4to 9, inclusively. The mandrel has a body 1| having a leading end 12, a guide portion T3, a narrowed central portion 14, and a flared trailing end 15. The leading end is conveniently cylindrical and terminates in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The guide portion 'I3 is delineated by substantially parallel guide ways or faces generally in transverse rectangular or square arrangement. The purpose of the guide portion is to permit embracing of the body of the mandrel through the flexible tubular material 56 ttedthereover and to resist rotational movement of the mandrel during operation. Thus, any guide ways suitable to the purpose may be employed in the guide portions without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. The trailing end is substantially cylindrical in form and may provide longitudinal flutes 'I5 for handling convenience to minimize surface contact with the banding material and resulting fri-ctional engagement therewith yet to provide dependable distention for banding purposes. A bore 11 is formed longitudinally through the body and a counterbore 'I8 formed from the trailing end to a position shortl of the leading end providing a shoulder 19 at the leading end circu'mjacent the b ore 11. At the central portion 14, elongated segments of the body denng the counterbore 18 are removed leaving a pair of substantially parallel strut portions shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6; and '7.

-A plunger is mounted in the counterbore 78 for slideable movement longitudinally of the body and is extended from opposite endr portions of the body. The plunger provides a rod 86 slideably fitted to the bore 11 and mounting a distending nose 8'! at the leading end of the body-l Spaced from the nose 81 and within the counterbore 78 is provided a cylindrical spring stop 88 integral to the rod 86 and slideably iitted to the counterbore. A compression spring 89 'is located under initial compression between the shoulder 15 and the stop 38 and urges the plunger into trailing end extension from the body, as limited byengagement of the nose 81 on the leading end. At the trailing end of the body, the plunger is cylindrical in form and slideably tted to the counterbore 18. The cylindrical portion of the plunger at the trailing end of the mandrel is connected in xecl spaced relation to the spring stop B8 by a rack gear member 90 which is laterally offset from coaxial alignment with the remaining portions of the plunger, as shown in Fig. 5.

A pair of flanges 9| are laterally extended from each of the struts 85 adjacent each of the opposite ends of the central portion 14, corresponding flanges on the struts being positioned'in transverse alignment.

A pair of thrust rollers 94 are positioned between the struts 8d rotatably mounted in the upper pair of anges 9 I. The thrust rollers preferably provide peripheries which are axially arcuate for guiding convenience.

A pair of feeding rollers 95 are positioned between the struts 80 and journaled in the lower pair of flanges Si. The feeding rollers bear peripheral serrations 96 to facilitate positive feeding of the tubular banding material by internal engagement therewith. As shown in Fig. "I, spur gears 9'! are mounted coaxially with the feed rollers 95 and meshed with the rack gear 90 of the plunger 95.

Inasmuch as it is desired to impart uni-directional rotational movement to the feed rollers 95 upon reciprocal movement of the plunger 85v and its rack gears 99, a uni-directional drive linkage, or over-running clutch, provides driving connection between the spur gears 91 and the feed rollers 95, as shown in Fig. 9. Mounting pins |90 are extended between the corresponding flanges 9| of the struts 89. Cam blocks ||l| are journaled on the pins It@ and provide one or more chordally flattened surfaces |92. The feed rollers 95 are provided with enlarged concentric inner bores and are rotatably mounted on the cam blocks Il. The spur gears 97 are journaled on the pins |99 and connected to the ycam blocks |9| for'unitary rotational movement therewith. Cylindrical catch-bearings |03 are positioned between the chordally flattened surfaces |62 of the cam blocks lili and their respective circumjacent feeding rollers 95. Fracto-cylindrical springs |94 are rested on the chordally flattened surfaces intermediate the cylindrical bearings and the circumjacent feed rollers, as shown in Fig. 8, on the sides of their respective cylindrical bearings toward which their respective circumjacent feed roller is to be motivated. As viewed in Fig. 9, when 'the cam block lill is rotated in a clockwise direction, the cylindrical bearings |03 roll outwardly on the flattened surfaces |02 ,and provide binding interconnection betwen the cam block and the circumjacent feed roller. When the cam block is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the cylindrical bearings roll from feed roller engagement against the fracto-cylindrical springs |54 and in such position either disengage the feed roller entirely or contact the same at Such a frictional langle that rotation is freely permitted between the cam block and its respective feed roller. This uni-direction drive linkage between the spur gears 91 and their respective feed rollers 95 illustrates a suitable form that may be employed, it being understood, that any other suitable uni-directional drive linkage may be employed for the purpose described. The bearings |93 and the fracto-cylindrical springs |94 are held axially in place by circular plates positioned at opposite ends of the cam blocks ||l| and rotatably fitted within the feed rollers 95. The floating mandrel l0 is adapted to be threadably received in the open end portion of flexible tubular banding material, to be supported in predetermined substantially erect positions by embracing thereof through the tubular member, and positively to feed the tubular member toward the trailing end thereof in response to reciprocal positioning of the plunger 85 by driving engagement with the portion of the plunger extended from the trailing end of the mandrel accessible through the open end of the tubular member by the previously capped, plugged, or otherwise closed upper end portion of a bottle supported on one of the bottle supporting tables 38.

As shown in Fig. l, the cap 58 is provided with .a radially extended circumscribing flange. An

assembly mounting plate lll is concentrically mounted on the flange portion of the cap member 58 by cap screws l |I screw-threadably interconnecting said flange portion and the plate. The

mounting plate has a circula-r periphery and a circumscribing down turned edge ||2 integral therewith. Circular openings ||3 are vpierced in the mounting plate in elevational alignment with the bottle support tables 38 at each of the banding stations $9. The openings provide lconvenient nesting locations for a mounting structure for the floating mandrels l0 and a mechanism for` cutting the banding material 59, as shown most clearly in Figs. l0, ll, l2, and 13.

A base member ||5 is provided with a circular lower portion i6 fitted to the opening |3. A funnel shaped opening is provided concentrically in the base member and facilitates threaded reception of the floating mandrel 10. The lower portion llt is preferably provided with a machined upper surface and has a roller accommodating groove llt formed therein radially of the assembly mounting plate ||9 in which it is mounted. Concentrically of the lfunnel shaped opening a depending cylindrical portion ||9 constitutes a bearing support. The cylindrical portion provides a circumscribing shoulder |26 adjacent to the upper end thereof and is formed with a groove 22E' inwardly disposed the lower end of said portion..V Segmentally cylindrical upper portions |23, clearly evident in Figs. 13 and l5, are formed integrally with the lower portion I I- and overlay the plate I9. A plural-ity of cap screws |23 secure the base member ||5 to the assembly mounting plate I9. The segmentally cylindrical portions |22 are provided with parallel .adjacent edges defining a channel therebetween.

Adjacent and radially inwardly relative to the assembly mounting plate lill from the opening Il', a fixed bracket |25 having a base |21 is rigidly mounted in the channel dened by the parallel edges of the segmentally cylindrical portions |22, as by cap screws |28, and upwardly extended from the mounting plate. The cap screws |28 rigidly mount the fixed bracket |2'5on the lower portion It of the base member l i5 `and for convenient removal from the plate lil integrally with the base member.

R-adially outwardly of the assembly mounting plate I9 from the funnel shaped opening a bifurcated member |39 is xedly mounted, as by cap screws |3I engaged in the lower portion H9 of the base member, between the segmentally cylindrical portions |22 of said member. The bifurcated member is extended downwardly over the down turned edge ||2 of the mounting plate lil and provides a pair of spaced ear-s 32 radially related to the plate H3 outwardly of the periphery of said plate as a convenience in mounting a manual control lever therein. As sh wn in Fig. 13 and in dotted line in Fig. 15, the bifurcated portions of the member |3i are undercut as at |315 to provide in association with lthe machined upper surface of the lower portion Io, a pair of juxtapositioned channels |35.

A movable bracket |38 is provided with a laterally extended base |39 which is slidably received in the channels |35 for slidable radial movement of the movable bracket relative to the plate H0 and adjustable spacing of the movable bracket relative to the fixed bracket |25.

To facilitate adjustable positioning of the movable bracket |38 longitudinally in the juxtaposed channels |35, a manual control arm MI is pivotally mounted in the spaced ears |32. The control arm and the movable bracket |38 are pivotally interconnected by means of a toggle linkage M2. A stop |53 is provided on the manual control arm which abuts the down turned portion of the 9. bifurcated member to limit the outward and downward pivotal movement of the control arm and resultant outward movement of the movable bracket |38. It will be apparent that rotation of the assembly mounting plate ||0 will impart a measure oi centrifugal force to the manual control arm |4| tending to throw the same outwardly and to separate the brackets l 38 and |25. To resist this tendency a spring |44 is mounted, as bya cap screw |45 engaged in the down turned portion of the bif-urcated member |30, and extended upwardly for engagement with the toggle linkage |42 so as to urge the movable bracket |36 through the toggle linkage inwardly. The main inwardly holding action, however, is achieved by arranging thetoggle linkage |42 so that upon full inward movement of the movable bracket |38 the toggle linkage pivots downwardly from alignment between the pivotal mounting of the ccntrolarm |4| and the pivotal connection of the toggle linkage to the movable bracket |38. This downward movement of the toggle linkage is limited by engagement of a portion oi the control arm |4| and/or the toggle linkage |42 with the plate H0.

A cylindrical mounting roller |48 is journaled horizontally in each of the brackets |38 and |26 at a corresponding elevation. The groove |2| in the lower portion i6 of the base member accommodates the rollers U58. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the mounting rollers are of such a size as simultaneously to engage the feed rollers 95 and the thrust rollers 04 when the mandrel 1|) is positioned therebetween and the bracket moved -inwardly. The peripheries of the mounting rollers |48 extend between the thrust rollers 94 and the feed rollers 95 and resist downward thrust on the mandrel by engagement with the thrust rollers. Inasmuch as the feed rollers 05 have peripheral serrations 96 which tend to rupture the tubular banding material 56 when brought too forcibly to bear against the roller |48, vertical thrust on the mandrel is resisted by a pair of thrust resisting rollers |49 mounted adjacent to each other in the brackets |26 and |38 in engagement with the upper portions of the thrust rollers 94. The thrust resisting rollers each have a ciroumscribing groove complementary to the axially arcuate peripheries of the thrust rollers 94 evident in Fig. 6.

A pair of torque resisting rollers |50 are rotatably mounted in the upwardly extended portions of the brackets |26 and |33 in engagement with the guide portion 13 of the mandrel. As evident in Figs. 13 and 15, the torque resisting rollers have circumscribing grooves complementary to the guideways of the guide portion so that the guide portion of the mandrel is embraced by the Vrollers |50 through the tub-ular banding material 56 in torque resisting relation when the bracket |33 is moved inwardly. Although the mounting rollers |48, thrust resisting rollers |49 and torque resisting rollers |50 have been described as engaging portions of the mandrel 10, it is of course understood that no direct engagement is made because the banding material 56 is tted downwardly over the mandrel. The flexibility of the banding material accommodates mandrel embracing by said rollers and dependa ble holding therethrough.

As evident in Figs. 10, 1l, 12 and 13, a roller bearing is mounted on the cylindrical portion ||9 of the base member 5 against the shoulder |20. A flanged collar |56 is received in the groove |2| and dependably locked in bearing retaining position, as by set screws |51. The roller bearing |55 provides an outer race to which is fxedly mounted an annular cutter mounting .plate |60. A plurality of ears |6I, evident in Figs.v 12 and 13, are downwardly and radially extended from the cutter mounting plate. A cutter arm |63 is mounted on each of the ears |6| .by downwardly extended pins |64 for pivotal movement in a common plane substantially parallel to the cutter mounting plate |60. The cutter arms |63 are positioned in a generally circular arrangement, as shown in Fig. 14, and have controlling end portions bearing substantially vertically positioned wedge shaped cams |65 downwardly disposed. Oppositely extended from the controlling end portions of the cutter arms are stops |66 adapted for engagement with depending bosses |61 integral with the mounting plate to limit outward pivotal movement of the controlling end portions of the arms.

A strip spring |68 is mounted on each of the cutter arms as by a cap screw |69 engaged with the arm adjacent to its pivotal mounting. The springs are arranged in the plane of the cutter arms |03 and have end portions extended generally in the direction of the controlling end porftions of the arms and radially inwardly of the circular arrangement of the arms. Brackets |10 are radially inwardly extended from the extended end portions of the springs and rotatably mount cutting wheels |1| on stub axles |12. It

. will be apparent from observation of Fig. 14 that pivotal movement of the control arms |63 resiliently moves the cutting wheels |1| radially of the cutter mounting plate |60. The springs have Vopposite end portions |13 extended for engagement with the bosses |61 and in association therewith urge their respective cutter arms outwardly to positions limited by the stops |60.

A plurality of rods |14 are slidably mounted in the mounting plate |60, as` at |16, and downwardly extended therefrom. An annular control plate |15 is xedly mounted on the dependent ends of the rods |14 for axial elevational movement relative to the cutter mounting plate |60 and for unitary rotational movement therewith. The rods are held in slidable engagement with the mounting plate |60 by a control arm in supporting relation to the control plate, as presently described. A pair of parallel ianges are provided in substantially vertical alignment with the wedge shaped cams and upwardly extended from the control plate. A rotary cam follower |19 is mounted in each of the pair of flanges for engagement with their respective adjacent wedge shaped cams. Helical springs |80 are arranged circumjacent the rods |14 under initial compression between the mounting plate |60 and the control plate |15 and serve to urge the control plate downwardly on the rods |14 to remove the cam followers |10 from engagement with the wedge shaped cams.

A depending strap |82 is mounted on the down `turned edge ||2 of the assembly mounting plate shownin Figs. 1, v2, 3, and 16. The cam |88 is 11 xedly mounted on the shaft 22 with the followers in engagement with the upper surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 3 the cut-01T cam has a relatively flat portion for the rst 105 degrees of revolution from the zero point, as previously designated, inclines upwardly during the next approximate thirty degrees of revolution, has a llattened upper dwell for the succeeding 120 degrees, then declines for approximately 60 degrees to a flattened lower portion for the remaining 45 degrees of revolution which is at the same elevation as the first 105 degrees of revolution. This is most clearly evident in Figs, 1, 13, and 16. A pair of rollers |89 are mounted on the control arm |83 at substantially equal distances from the pivotal mounting of the control arm and for diametrically opposite engagement with the control plate |75. Thus, pivotal positioning of the control arm elevationally positions the control plate.

Rotation of the assembly mounting plate in response to rotation of the sleeve 23 through the gear linkage 23--30 previously described, results in the revolving of the various banding stations 65 and positive rotation of the annular cutter mounting plates |65. A drive gear |90 is fixedly mounted concentrically on the shaft 22. A driven gear |9| is xedly mounted concentrically on each of the annular cutter mounting plates |60. The sleeve 23 is ported at |92 in alignment between each of the driven gears |9| and the drive gear |96 and a reach gear |93 rotatably mounted on the assembly mounting plate Il in mesh with the drive gearv |90 and each of the driven gears |9|. The gear ratios are such that the annular cutter mounting plates |60 rotate a minimum of at least 120 degrees while their respective cam followers traverse the 120 degree extent of the upward dwell of the cut-off cam |88 so that the employment of the three cutting wheels Ill completely severs the banding material 56.

Operation The voperation of the device of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. The manual control arms IM are pivoted outwardly to retract their respective brackets |38 from their cooperative xed brackets |26 to release the Vfloating mandrels 16 for removal. Each mandrel is threadedly inserted into the open end portion of the tubular banding material 56 fed from its adjacent magazine 55. The banding material is retained in a submerged condition in a suitable liquid in its magazine so as to avoid premature shrinking whenever the apparatus of the present invention is not in operation. The banding material from each of the magazines is rltted downwardly over its respective floating mandrel until the end portion thereof is adjacent to the trailing end of the mandrel.

The mandrels are inserted between their brackets |26 and |38 and the control arms |4| elevated moving the bracket |33 toward the bracket |26 so that the mounting rollers |48, thrust resisting rollers M5, and torque resisting rollers embrace the mandrel through the tubular banding material fitted thereover. With the mandrels mounted between their brackets, 'the apparatus is conditioned for operation.

The mandrels located adjacent to the conveyor Ill have the plungers 85 thereof downwardly extended for bottle engagement under the urging of the mandrel springs 89 and the control arms |83 of banding stations located adjacent tothe conveyor are downwardly pivoted as permitted by their respective cut-off cams |68 lowering the control plates |15 relative to their respective cutter mounting plates |65 and retracting the cutting wheels all as illustrated in Fig. l0.

Bottles 26, or other containers, having been previously lled and capped, plugged, or otherwise closed are positioned on the conveyor I9 and the conveyor motivated to transport the bottles toward the apparatus of the present invention and to convey the bottles after having been sealed away from the apparatus. One of the star cam shafts |1 is power driven, as previously described, so that as each bottle passing down the conveyor I0 reaches the rst star cam la, said cam engages the bottle and directs it along the edges of the bottle directing plates I9 from the conveyor. The pinion gear S5 of the driven star cam shaft engages the spur gear 28 mounted fixedly on the housing 23 and through said pinion gear rotates the housing and the spur gear 35 on the opposite star cam shaft il. Rotation of the housing 23 revolves the bottle supporting tables 38 synchronously with rotation of the star cams I5 so that as a bottle 20 is moved from the conveyor over the slide platform 2|, a supporting table 38 is positioned to receive the bottle and as a bottle passes from the apparatus of the present invention, the second star cam It is synchronized to remove a bottle from its respective supporting table 38 adjacent to the table and to direct the same along the edges of the bottle directing plates I9 over the second slide platform 2| back upon the conveyor l5. The rotation of the star cams I8 and the revolutionary movement of the supporting tables 38 are continuous, their synchronous motivation precluding any need for stepped positioning.

It is to be remembered that the banding statiOns 66 including the mandrels l0, their mounting brackets |25 and |38, and the cutting mechanisms described revolve about the shaft 22 with their respective bottle supporting tables 33 in vertical alignment therewith. Shortly after a table S8 receives a bottle, revolutionary movement of the table elevates the table by the riding of its respective cam follower 5| on the cam 43. This elevation results in a corresponding elevation of a'bottle 20 supported on the table, the closure of which is brought into engagement with the lower end of the plunger thrusting said plunger upwardly against resistance offered by the spring S9. This upward movement of the plunger in response to elevation of a bottle continues until the bottle is brought closely adjacent to the trailing end l5 of its respective floating mandrel 70. The movement of the plunger 85 upwardly in its mandrel 'Hl rotates both of the feed rollers 95 mounted thereon by engagement of the spur gears 91 and the rack gear 90. The rotation of the feed rollers 95 aided by their peripheral serrations 96, positively draw downwardly on the banding material 56 and the open end portion of the tubular banding material is fed downwardly over the upwardly extended end of the bottle and its closure, as shown in Fig. 11.

The extent, or length, of the tubular banding material 56 fed downwardly over a bottle may be controlled by pivotally positioning the cam 43 about its mounting 44. For example, when a longer length of banding material is desired on a series of bottles, the control rod 49 is run upwardly in its bracket 48 to elevate the free end portion of the cam 43. Thus, the tables 38am elevated'higher during theirrevolutionary move- .mandrels 18 for removal.

ment and a correspondingly longer length of tubular banding material is fed downwardly over bottles borne by the tables. Obviously, to shorten the length of banding material employed, the control rod 49 is lowered in its bracket 48 to lower the free end of the cam 43. .It will further be obvious, that for bottles of different height different cams may be employed compensating for the varied bottle lengths by increased or decreased cam axial thickness. Only simple modifications are required to adapt the apparatus of the present invention to bottles or other containers of various heights and to control the extent of the banding material fed downwardly thereover.

As shown in Fig. 3, the feeding cam 43 maintains the tables 38 at a substantially constant elevation on an elevated dwell between 105 and 255 degrees of revolutionary movement of the tables. While the tables and their bottles are elevated on the dwell and after the feeding of the tubular banding material over the upper portions thereof, the cam followers |31 ride upwardly 0n the cut-off cam |88 and their respective control plates |15 are elevated relative to their annular cutter mounting plates |60. This condition is demonstrated in Fig. l1. Upon elevation of the control plates |15, the cam followers |19 roll upwardly against their respective wedge shaped cams |65 forcing the same radially inwardly and pivoting the cutter arms |53 to move the cutting wheels |1| resiliently inwardly. It will be recalled that whenever the bottle supporting tables 38 are rotated, the cutter mounting plates |60 are rotated by engagement of the gears ISB, |93 and |8| evident in Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 11, the upward pivotal movement ofthe control arms |83 in response to traversal of the cut-off cam |88 by the cam followers |81 results in the inward urging of the cutting wheels |1| into engagement with the tubular banding material |83 overlaying the trailing end 15 of the floating mandrel 10. The revolutionary movement of the cutting wheels |1| in response to rotation of the cutter mounting plate |50 rolls the cutting wheels about the extreme lower end portion of the mandrel and severs the tubular banding material at that point by cutting action against the mandrel. It will be observed in Fig. 11 that the point of severing the banding material is approximately iiush with the upper end portion of the closure of the bottle.

Subsequent revolutionary movement of the bottle supporting tables 38 through the actions of the cams 43 and |88 causes the tables to return to their initial elevation and the cutter wheels to retract from mandrel engagement by lowering of the control plate |15 under the urging of springs |88 relative to the cutter mounting plate |60.

As each of the tables 38 returns toward the conveyor I8, its bottle is engaged by the second star cam I8 and swept from the table, which then is at the same elevation as the conveyor, onto the conveyor along the edges of the bottle directing plates I9. The bottles are thence transported by the conveyor to a labeling, packaging, or other vstation as desired.

Whenever the apparatus of the present invention is permitted to remain stationary or inoperable for a time sufficient to endanger the tubular banding material 63 where it is removed from the immersing liquid contained in the lmagazines 55, the operating levers |4| are pivoted outwardly, moving the brackets |38 away from the brackets and freeing the floating This condition is demonstrated in Fig. l2. Upon removal of the manl 1'4 drels, the tubular banding material is removed therefrom and returned to the magazines for immersion and protection against premature shrinking before use.

The banding material which is applied to the containers shrinks thereon and provides dependable seals between containers and their closures in the manner well known in the art. The device of the present invention permits the dependable and speedly banding of containers and their closures in a fully automatic manner and with complete uniformity. There are no misplaced bands and no containers are passed through the operation without being banded. The lengths of the bands are conveniently regulated, and the apparatus readily adjusted to accommodate containers of various heights. The extensive labor incident to manual band opening and fitting is eliminated.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent device or apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, a fioating mandrel adapted threadedly to receive thereof/er a continuous supply of tubular banding material, means holding' the .mandrel in an erect position above the bottle support, means periodically elevationally reciprocating the bottle support and the mandrel holding means relative to each other, feed rolls mounted on the mandrel adapted to receive the tubular banding material thereover, a feed plunger mounted for elevational reciprocal movement in the mandrel and having driving connection with the feed vrolls, said feed plunger being downwardlyv eX- tended foi` endward engagement with the top of a capped bottle arranged on the bottle support in alignment therewith and endwardly reciprocated during such engagement by relative elevational movement of the bottle support and mandrel holding means and through the feed rolls to feed the tubular banding material downwardly over the top of such a bottle, and a cutter for the banding material automatically operated to cut predetermined lengths therefrom synchronously and following the feeding thereof downwardly over such bottles, the cutter providing a cutting edge rotated about the mandrel and reciprocally moved to and from mandrel engagement intermediate movement of the bottle support and mandrel relatively to and from each other during their relative elevational reciprocation.

2. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, a floating mandrel adapted threadably to receive thereover a continuous supply of tubular banding material, means holding the mandrel in an erect position above the support by embracing the mandrel through the tubular material, means periodically elevationally reciprocating the support and the mandrel holding means relative to each other, feed means mounted in the mandrel for internal engagement with the tubular material and having a portion thereof extended for engagement with the tops of bottles rested on the support and through such engagement deriving motivation from reciprocal elevational spacing of the support and mandrel holding means, anannular member rotatably mounted below ythe mandrel and in concentric relation thereto, a plurality of rotary cutting wheels borne by the annular member in a common plane normal to the mandrel for reciprocal radial movement to and from mandrel engagement, control means mounted for movement in spaced axial vrelation to the annular member, and a control linkage interconnecting the control means and the cutting elements and translating axial moveport for elevational movement therein and for horizontal travel from a bottle receiving station to a bottle discharging station, a cam operatively associated with the bottle support and elevationally reciprocating the support in response to movement thereof from receiving to discharging stations, a mandrel adapted threadably lto receive means thereover tubular banding material, mounting the mandrel in substantially erect vertical alignment with the support in the driven means, feed rollers rotatably mounted in the mandrel for internal engagement with the tubu- -lar'banding material, and a plunger having unidirectional driving connection with the feed rollers mounted for vertical reciprocation in the mandrel having a downwardly extended portion disposed for bottle engagement and an end upwardly extended from the mandrel pointed for distention of banding material threaded thereover.

4. A machine for placing shrinkable tubular banding material on capped bottles comprising a 'bottle support, driven means mounting the support for elevational movement therein and for horizontal travel from a bottle receiving station t0 a bottle discharging station, a cam having an upper dwell operatively associated with the bottle support and elevationallg,7 reciprocating the support in response to movement thereof from receiving to discharging stations, a mandrel adapted threadably to receive thereover tubular banding material, means mounting the mandrel in substantially erect vertical alignment with the Isupport in the driven means, feed rollers rotatably mounted in the mandrel for internal engagement with the tubular banding mater 1al, a plunger having uni-directional driving connection with the feed rollers mouted for vertical reciprocation in the mandrel having a downwardly extended portion disposed for bottle engagement and an end upwardly extended fromthe mandrel pointed for distention of banding material threaded thereover, and a radially reciproca-l cutterl mounted in the driven means for rotation concentrically of the mandrel, a drive linkage translating horizontal travel of the driven means into rotation of the cutter in the driven means, and a cam operatively associated with radially reciprocating the cutter to and from mandrel engagement during traversal of the upper dwell of the bottle support cam by said support.

5. The combination of a carrier mounted for rotation about a substantially erect axis; a bottle support table mounted for reciprocal elevational movement eccentrically in the carrier; synchronous means for delivering capped bottles in erect attitude to the support table at a receiving the cutter station and removing bottles therefrom at aremoving station rotationally spaced therefrom; a circular feeding cam mounted concentrically o f the carrier operatively associated with the support table having an inclined portion, an upper dwell, and a declined portion in succession in the direction ol carrier rotation from lthe receiving to the removing station; an elongated mandrel adapted to receive tubular banding material thereover; mounting means for grasping the mandrel through the tubular banding material mounting the mandrel in the carrier in a substantially erect attitude in constant vertical alignment with the support table and in eleva.- tionally spaced relation thereto; feed rollers rotatably mounted in the mandrel on axes transversely of the mandrel; a plunger having unidirectional driving connection with the feed rollers mounted for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the mandrel having a downwardly extended portieri disposed above the bottle support for bottle engagement and a nose portion upwardly extended from the mandrel for distention of banding material threaded over the mandrel; a radially reciprocal cutter mounted in the carrier for rotation concentrically of the mandrel; a drive linkage connected to the cutter translating revolving of the cutter incident to rotation of the carrier into rotation of the cutter in the carrier; and a circular cut-01T cam mounted concen'trioally of the carrier having an inclined portion and an upper dwell in a radial position corresponding to the radial position of the upper dwell of the feeding cam and operatively associated with the cutter radially reciprocating the cutter to and from mandrel engagement at a position below the feed rollers thereof in responseto traversal of the upper dwell of the cut-off cam during carrier rotation.

6. A machine for placing shrinkable tubular banding material on capped bottles comprising a carrier mounted for rotation about a substantially erect axis; means for rotating the carrier in a predetermined direction; a bottle support table mounted eccentrically in the carrier for reciprocal elevational movement; a circular feeding cam pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis and positioned concentrically of the carrier having a lower dwell, an inclined portion, an upper dwell, and a declined portion successively in the direction oi carrier rotation operatively associetod with the support table for vertical reciprocation thereof in response to revolving thereof during carrier rotation; means releasably securing the feeding cam in adjustably pivoted position elevati cally positioning the upper dwell thereof; .means driven synchronously with carrier rotation for delivering capped bottles to the table in advance of upward movement of the table and for removing bottles therefrom subsequent to lowering of the table; an elongated mandrel; feed rollers rotatably mounted transversely in the mandrel on opposite sides thereof and having outwardly disposed peripheral portions oppositely disposed from the mandrel; pairs of elevationally spaced positioning rollers rotatably mounted horizontally in the carrier and by receipt of the feed rollers therebetween locating the mandrel in a substantially erect position in vertical alignment with the support table; a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the mandrel having a lower end downwardly extended irom the mandrel for bottle engagement and an upper end upwardly extended from the mandrel adapted to receive thereover tubular banding material, said plunger having uni-directional driving connection to the feed rollers for rotating the outwardly disposed peripheral portions thereof downwardly in response to upward movement of the plunger; a radially reciprocal cutter mounted for rotation in the carrier concentrcally of the mandrel; a drive linkage con nected to the cutter and translating rotation of the carrier into rotation of the cutter; and a circular cut-off cam operatively associated with the cutter and mounted concentrically of the carrier for radially reciprocating the cutter to and from engagement with the mandrel below the feed rollers thereof during traversal of the upper dwell of the feeding cam by the support table.

7. A banding machine for sealing closed bottles comprising a bottle support, a 4floating mandrel adapted threadedly to receive thereover elongated tubular bandingmaterial, means holding the mandrel in an erectposition above the bottle support, feed means mounted on the mandrel adapted to receive the tubular banding material thereover, motivating means elevationally positioning the bottle support and the mandrel relative to each other, the feedmeans being motivated by said relative elevational positioning of the support and the mandrel, and a cutting mechanism operated in following timed relation to the feeding of the tubular banding material over the bottles cutting said banding material adjacent to the tops thereof with predetermined lengths of the banding material remaining on the bottles.

8. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, means motivating the support in a circular path, a floating mandrel adapted threadedly to receive thereover tubular banding material, means holding the mandrel in an erect position above the bottle support for travel in a circular path in vertical alignment with the support, a cam imparting relative elevational movement to the support and mandrel during traversal of the path, feed rolls mounted on the mandrel adapted to receive the tubular banding material thereover, and. a feed plunger mounted for elevational reciprocal movement in the mandrel and having driving connection with the feed rolls, said feed plunger being downwardly extended for endward engagement with the top of a capped bottle arranged on the bottle support in alignment therewith.

9. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, means for periodically elevationally reciprocating the support, said means being adjustable to regulate the distance of elevational travel of the support during reciprocation thereof, a floating mandrel adapted threadably to receive thereover tubular banding material, means mounting the mandrel at a predetermined elevation and in vertical alignment above the support by engagement with the tubular banding material threaded thereover, feed rollers rotatably mounted on the mandrel engageable with the interior of the tubular banding material threaded over the mandrel, a plunger having a rack gear mounted for elevational reciprocal movement in the mandrel having a downwardly disposed end disposed for engagement with the top of a capped bottle arranged on the bottle support in alignment therewith, pinions rotably mounted in the mandrel in engagement with the rack gear of the plunger, and means providing uni-directional driving connection between the pinions and the feed rollers whereby upward movement of the plunger rotates the feed rollers to feed tubular banding material downwardly thereover and the pinions are released from driving connection with the feed rollers on downward travel of the plunger. 1

l0. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, a iloatingmandrel adapted threadedly to receive thereover a continuous supply of tubular banding material, means holding the mandrel in an erect position above the support by embracing the mandrel through the tubular material, means periodically elevationally reciprocating the bottle support and the mandrel holding means relative to each other, feed rolls mounted on the mandrel adapted to receive the tubular banding material thereover, and a feed plunger mounted for elevational reciprocal movement .in the mandrel and having driving connection with the feed rolls, said feed plunger being downwardly extended forrendward engagement with the top of, a capped bottle arranged on the bottle support in alignment therewith and endwardly reciprocated during such engagement by relativelelevational movement of the4 bottle support and mandrel holding means and through the feed rolls feeding the tubular banding material downwardly over the top of such a bottle.

l1. A banding machine comprising a bottle support, means motivating the support in a circular path, a floating mandrel adapted threadedly to receive thereover a continuous supply of tubular banding material, means holding the mandrel in an erect position above the bottle support, means periodically elevationally reciprocating the bottle support and the mandrel holding means relative to each other, feed means mounted on the mandrel adapted to receive the tubular banding material thereover, a feed plunger mounted for elevational reciprocal movement in the mandrel and having driving connection with the feed means, and said feed plunger being downwardly extended for endward engagement with the top of a capped bottle arranged on the bottle support in alignment therewith and endwardly reciprocated during such engagement by relative elevational movement of the bottle support and the mandrel holding means, and a cutter for the banding material automatically operated to cut predetermined lengths thereof synchronously and following the feeding thereof downwardly over such bottles, the cutter providing a cutting edge rotated about the mandrel and reciprocally moved to and from mandrel engagement intermediate movement of bottle support and mandrel relative to and from each other during their relative elevational reciprocation.

l2. A machine for placing shrinkable tubular banding material on capped bottles comprising a bottle support, driven means mounting the .support for elevational movement therein and for horizontal travel from a bottle receiving station to a bottle discharging station, a feeding cam pivctally mounted on a horizontal axis having a lower dwell, an inclined portion, an upper dwell, and a declined portion successively from the bottle receiving station to the bottle discharge station operatively associated with the bottle support for elevational reciprocation of the support in response to movement thereof from the receiving to the discharging stations, means releasably securing the cam in adjustably pivoted position elevationally to position the upper dwell thereof, a mandrel adapted threadably to receive thereover tubular banding material, means mounting the mandrel in substantially erect vertical alignment with the support inthe driven means. feed rollers rotatably mounted ink the mandrel for internal engagement with the. tubular banding material, and a plunger having unidirectional driving connection with the feed rollers mounted for vertical reoiproeation in the mandrel having a downwardly extended portion disposed for bottle engagement and an end upwardly extended from the mandrel pointed for distention of banding material threaded thereover.

13. A banding machiner comprising a bottle support, a iloating mandrel adapted threadably to receive thereover a continuous supply of tubular banding material, means holding the mandrel in an erect position above the support by embracing the mandrel through the tubular material, means periodically elevationally reciprocating the support and mandrel holding means rela.- tive to each other', means forl adjusting the extent oi relative elevational reciprocation of the support and. mandrel, and feed means mounted in the mandrel for internal engagement with the tubular material and having a portion thereof extended for. engagement with the tops of bottles .rested on the support and through such engagement. deriving motivation from reciprocal eleva-V REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,160,387 Curtis Nov. 16, 1915 1,548,504 Becker Aug. 4, 1925 1,612,509 Henderson et al. Dec. 28, 1926 1,695,363 Causey et al. Dec. 18, 1928 2,036,105 Strout Mar. 31, 1936 2,079,326 Levy et al Mar. 4, 1937 2,089,769 Strout Aug. 10, 1937 2,320,564 Brooks June 1, 1943 2,579,458 Allen et al Dec. 25, 1951 

